Europcar creates new vehicle group to help organisations comply with new minibus rules

12 November 2013

Europcar creates new vehicle group to help organisations comply with new minibus rules

Business Drivers Guide |

By Europcar |

Changes to Europcar fleet helps organisations comply with the new

Certificate of Professional Competency for minibus drivers

London, November 2013 – Europcar, the leader in car hire services in Europe, has reviewed its MPV and minibus fleet to provide continued accessibility for organisations that require vehicles for moving people around. The change has been made in response to new safety regulations for lorry, bus, coach and minibus drivers.

On 10th September 2013, the CPC (Certificate of Professional Competency) came into effect for drivers of vehicles with passenger seats of nine or more, for journeys for Hire & Reward or Commercial Gain. Anticipating the impact of the new rules on customers that use minibuses, in particular those in the public sector and charities, Europcar has adjusted its fleet to help these organisations remain compliant.

Europcar has introduced a new vehicle group which is exempt from the CPC rules – comprising a range of vehicles that provide seating for a maximum of 8 passengers, and thereby enabling the wide diversity of public sector and charitable organisations that need to move people around to maintain their service. Vehicles in this group include full size MPVs and small minibuses. A separate group has been created including larger vehicles, such as 17 seaters, for which CPC compliance will be required.

Under the new rules, professional drivers including lorry and bus and coach drivers and minibus drivers, must hold a CPC, as well as their driving licence, which is renewable every 5 years. The CPC aims to improve the knowledge and skills of lorry, bus and coach drivers, to enhance road safety.

“We know how important it is for public sector organisations and charities to be able to access vehicles to help people in their local communities”, explained Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group. “We were very concerned that the new CPC regulations may limit these services if it wasn’t easy for our customers to select the right size vehicle, particularly where a driver may not have a CPC.

“Whilst we fully understand the objectives of the new CPC, there are a number of occasions when a smaller vehicle will suffice and will not, therefore, require the driver to comply with the new rules.

“We believe it is our responsibility, as the market leader, to continue to support organisations who need access to minivans and other passenger vehicles” concluded Ken McCall. “We are, therefore, fully committed to maintaining a vehicle group that helps our customers select the right vehicle – and remain compliant.”

Europcar is one of the leading mobility players in Europe. Present in over 130 countries, the group provides customers with one of the largest car rental networks through its own operators, franchisees and partnerships. Europcar operates worldwide its own brands Europcar® and InterRent, which is its low cost brand. It also operates the National and Alamo brands in EMEA. The group puts customers at the heart of its mission whether it is innovation or service. All the employees of the group are committed to delivering customer satisfaction. Europcar is actively promoting Corporate and Environmental social responsibility. Europcar has been recognised again in 2012 and for the 4th consecutive year, as the winner of the first World Travel Award and as the World’s Leading Green Transport Solutions Company. Europcar was honoured for the first time in 2012 with the “Europe’s Responsible Tourism Award”. Europcar is owned by Eurazeo, one of the leading listed investment companies in Europe.